Apple on Tuesday increased the capacity of its Time Capsule network attached storage with a 3-terabyte model, but the quiet refresh made no mention of other changes to the hardware.

The new models were revealed by Apple on its official Time Capsule page, mentioning 2TB and 3TB models.

Update: The Apple Online Store has been updated, with the 2TB and 3TB models selling for $299 and $499, respectively. The previous generation 1TB model ran for $299, while the 2TB offering was $499.

The official page still advertises the ability to wirelessly and automatically back up a Mac with the Time Capsule, as well as the hardware's included dual-band 802.11n wireless base station. It also has the same dimensions, at 7.7-by-7.7 inches.

The lack of new advertised functionality quashes earlier rumors that an updated Time Capsule could be powered by Apple's iOS lightweight operating system found on the iPhone, iPad and new Apple TV. It was suggested that a transition could allow for more robust features, like print and media streaming services, integration with iCloud, and cached wireless software updates.

While the Time Capsule was quietly updated on Tuesday, a refresh of Apple's AirPort Extreme router is also expected to arrive in the near future, having recently been outed by a filing with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Stock of both Time Capsules and AirPort Extreme base stations had run dry at Apple retail stores and third-party resellers in recent weeks.

The capacity of the Time Capsule was last increased to 2TB in July of 2009. That $499 model doubled the capacity of the previous high-end 1TB Time Capsule.

I do hope the rumours about an iOS based Time Capsule-like product are true, but I hope they are as an Apple Home Server where it being iOS-based makes a lot more sense.

I second this. An Apple branded full featured home server would be handy - something I can replace my old power sucking G3 with...

Does anyone here have a feeling for the wireless range of these (assuming that the new ones have no updates)? I find myself in the market for a new one, but have avoided the Apple wireless stations after the first one I bought - first or second gen with pathetic range and no easy way to add an antenna.

Does anyone here have a feeling for the wireless range of these (assuming that the new ones have no updates)? I find myself in the market for a new one, but have avoided the Apple wireless stations after the first one I bought - first or second gen with pathetic range and no easy way to add an antenna.

I have a Time Capsule (original 1TB version) it is downstairs in my house and it covers the whole house with ease. This is a wood frame 2 story house w/ 2,300 sq ft. Outside the signal strength is quite good

I was hoping that the Time Capsule would become more NAS-like. I'd like something that could run my Logitech Squeezebox jukebox software. Imagine that a Time Capsule ran iOS and you could control Apps on it via an iPad. Plus having it be the iPad 'wireless dock', if you will -- an in-your-home cloud for software updates and backup that had been rumored.

Well, we'll see what this new Airport Extreme looks like. Hopefully with a new FCC filing, it's a new device. Maybe it'll have the rumored iOS features, and we can hook up a hard drive to it to make it the NAS I want.

Was expecting a bit more than this, Apple are lagging behind in terms of cost per TB and have missed an opportunity to integrate further into the Connected Home. I'll be staying with my NAS box for now,

The Time Capsule launch has been messy online. The store is not in sync with the marketing/product pages. They still have the 1 TB and older 2 TB products up, but tout the new product features on these pages. Un-Apple like

I'm very excited about this. I've been holding off for this next iteration and plan to buy immediately. I hope they've addressed the heat and performance issues. And hopefully, they've made real world improvements in speed.

Windows survivor - after a long, epic and painful struggle. Very long AAPL

I just bought one of these drives. I have to tell ya, for $350 and I can't get it to connect the WiFi to work or find any ethernet ports. Maybe the price of Apple's Time Capsule isn't so crazy after all.

er, wow usually i am fine with Apple having things cost more money--because they have something that makes them better... but this its just like a shitload of money for a wireless external hard drive.... my friend made a gaming computer (windows ofc) for like $650 dollars....

i have no way to justify this. Doesn't have longer battery than anyone else with screens are better contrast wise. it doesn't have an OS that is easy to use.

I think Apple should stay as am advertising company that makes products. (its true!)

not a company that makes additional hardware.

Is it better than the PC alternative for wireless hard drive. probably.

can you build a server with the same or more storage and wirelessly connect to it for less money. probably.

but, yeah, $400 for a nice case and wireless isn't worth it... i get your 40% margins, i don't understand the over 100% margins (my guess, maybe i am wrong)

PC means personal computer.

i have processing issues, mostly trying to get my ideas into speech and text.

I would just love for the new TC to run iTunes. I wouldn't have to leave my computers on just to stream movies.

Serve music and movies without leaving computers on - yeah! I just picked up another AppleTV (1G) for US$50 that fulfills this exact need for me at home. My first one has a 320GB drive - a 10-minute modification for under US$100. I just hope they last a few more years.

I just bought one of these drives. I have to tell ya, for $350 and I can't get it to connect the WiFi to work or find any ethernet ports. Maybe the price of Apple's Time Capsule isn't so crazy after all.

I just bought one of these drives. I have to tell ya, for $350 and I can't get it to connect the WiFi to work or find any ethernet ports. Maybe the price of Apple's Time Capsule isn't so crazy after all.

I know Apple doesn't make the majority, if anything of what they sell. I was stating s simple though of my relief that Seagate and Western Digital are both reputable and much more affodable than this shiny box that apple is trying to pass off at $500 for 3TB

Why not buy an Airport Extreme Base station and attach a hard drive of your choosing via USB, granted it's not as elegant but you still get the excellent base station hardware and software whilst saving lots of cash.

Apple should make a nice four-bay NAS. Unfortunately, even if they did, I couldn't afford it.

Actually, I think they just need to beef up the USB port on their existing routers (or better yet, add a FW port because it wouldn't need as powerful a processor in the router to control it). Then you can attach as big (and as many of) a disk or raid array as you want. Oh, and they need to officially support TM on the Extreme's port. Pathetic that they don't. iTunes server would be nice, too; but I find it easier to just let my HTPC mini handle that tasks because then TM can keep my iTunes library backed up.

Actually, I think they just need to beef up the USB port on their existing routers (or better yet, add a FW port because it wouldn't need as powerful a processor in the router to control it). Then you can attach as big (and as many of) a disk or raid array as you want. Oh, and they need to officially support TM on the Extreme's port. Pathetic that they don't. iTunes server would be nice, too; but I find it easier to just let my HTPC mini handle that tasks because then TM can keep my iTunes library backed up.

And when the router dies, which it eventually will, you then have to replace the entire device? No thanks! Just give me a better port on the back to connect my own storage.

There is truly no need for the Apple Time capsule unless Apple build in features to enable photo, music and video shared storage. You are much better off sticking with your own wireless router then getting a proper NAS box which will do iTunes, iPhoto and video sharing to all of your network kit (Macs, iPhones, PC, PS3, Xbox etc etc)

There is a market out there for the Time Capsule but I doubt any of us are in that group of customers. Those who buy a Time Capsule are not tech savvy and just need somewhere to back files up to through their Macs.

For everyone else there are 'proper' NAS/Multimedia enclosures for a similar cost which offer a multitude of additional features that the Time Capsule does not.

Mind you, the Time Capsule is a bit of a shit box for the end user too, especially when it goes tits up at least you have raid storage in proper NAS boxes, Apple still class the drive as 'server grade storage' which is total bullshit. If I installed a server for a customer with a single drive and said 'yeah, its ok, its server grade storage' they would fire me. lol

they don't make the cheapest products, or the best. they make the ones that look the best.

by making people see how nice it looks in the adds, how simple it is, etc, etc that all advertising.

"but the OS is easy to use"

Hackintosh. people sell those even, so no reason to say "i can't make one"

when a company focus on making a product look good at the cost of being functional, herehereoh againoh big suprise
throttling, not a large enough power supply, that about sums it up. Apple is about making things thinner, lighter, and nicer looking. not making them more functional.

should i go into the original MBA?
the Mac Cube?

you can talk about how "but sometimes it windows" but aren't there computer SET UP to be able to run windows fine...?

yet, despite this, Apple generally has the best laptops in terms of looks and battery life. this is somthing i accept, but there products are not perfect, and there are a few Windows and Linux PC's that work better, for less, that are just as solid.

*= for there laptop and desktop PC's (a pc is a PERSONAL COMPUTER)

"insert something about how people will say i hate Apple, etc, etc, etc."

I don't dislike Apple. I dislike Steve Job's attitude of (not a quote, just a general overview) "thinner and lighter and better looking is always the most important thing"

or as i sum it up, if Steve Job's could have Apple design a computer/tablet that when you turned it sideways it would be impossible to see, he would.

PC means personal computer.

i have processing issues, mostly trying to get my ideas into speech and text.